Top 85 Robot Movies

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 10:49 pm

With Terminator Salvation currently in theaters, I thought it would be a good idea to crank out a list of the Top 85 Robot Movies for our readers to enjoy. Some of the categories are an acquired taste (especially the Bad Robot Movies), but all of these top 85 robot movies are sure to get a reaction from you. When you’re done with the list, be sure and check out my review of Terminator Salvation, as well.

Scary Robot Movies
While most horror movies involve Asian ghosts or crazed slashers, a handful are also made up of scary robot movies. Here are a few of the best.

1. Hardware – A military killer robot is pulled from the scrap heap and presented to a sculptor as a present. Too bad the droid has the ability to self-repair.

2. Death Machine – A robot known as the Warbeast is on the loose, and a few of its potential victims are Brad Dourif and a young Rachel Weisz (in her first movie role).

3. Screamers – Peter Weller takes on military killing machines fond of exploding out of the ground and cutting their victims in half. And beware of the models which use a stuffed teddy bear as a disguise (not joking).

4. Alien – Sigourney Weaver and her shipmates pick up a lethal alien during their trip into space. A lethal android is also around to make things more complicated. The first and best of the series.

5. Deadly Friend – Kristy Swanson meets a violent end, but her neighbor fixes her up with a computer chip and brings her back to life. Unfortunately, she’s crazy as hell at this point.

6. The Stepford Wives (1975) – Beautiful housewives are being replaced by something more “agreeable” to the local male population. See the original, NOT the remake.

Action-Packed Robot Movies

Some robot movies emphasize horror or sci-fi elements, but the following works qualify as action-packed robot movies. You can bet that plenty of shootouts and explosions will take place in the films listed below.

7. Eve of Destruction – Gregory Hines must use guns instead of tap shoes to subdue a rampaging female robot.

8. Virtuosity – Russell Crowe is a computer program made up of some of the most evil men in history. When he enters into the real world, it’s up to tough cop Denzel Washington to stop him.

9. Solo – Mario Van Peebles is a military android who develops a sense of compassion. This doesn’t sit well with his bosses, as you might imagine.

10. Alien: Resurrection – Sigourney Weaver is back once again, and this time she’s got to contend with both the xenomorphs and a cyborg sent to assassinate her.

11. Small Soldiers – Tiny action figures get hooked up with computer chips and start a real war against one another.

22. Spaced Invaders – When a group of Martians hear Orson Wells’ War of the Worlds, they mistake it for the real thing and launch an inept invasion of Earth.

23. Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey – At one point in this sequel, Bill and Ted are replaced with evil robot doubles. And don’t miss their showdown with Death, featuring such games as Battleship and Twister.

26. Meet the Robinsons – A young inventor seeks to find his true family, and this sets off a wild time traveling adventure. Another computer-animatedhit from Walt Disney.

27. WALL-E– The adventures of an adorable robot named WALL-E. A film which kids and adults alike can enjoy.

28. Dark Star – This early John Carpenter film takes an irreverant look at the future.

29. Weird Science – A pair of nerds decide to create the perfect woman. They succeed, but she would later go on to marry Steven Seagal.

30. Edward Scissorhands – Johnny Depp stars as an artifical being created by a kindly old scientist. When his creator dies, the sensitive creation must journey out into the world on his own. Directed by Tim Burton.

31. Lost in Space – The classic television show is adapted to the big screen. Stars Gary Oldman, William Hurt, Mimi Rogers and Matt LeBlanc.

Classic Robot Movies

These classic robot movies are oldies but surely goodies. Plus, you can buy most of these for next to nothing on Ebay or Amazon.

32. Metropolis – This Fritz Lang classic features Brigitte Helm as both a worker and her robotic double. Focuses on the stuggle between the classes.

33. The Day the Earth Stood Still – An alien arrives on Earth to inform the population that their violent ways are slowly dooming the human race.

34. Forbidden Planet – Inspired by The Tempest, this film features the first appearance of Robby the Robot. Leslie Nielsen co-stars.

36. Devil Girl from Mars – A leather-clad women from Mars arrives on Earth and goes on a lethal, yet sexy, killing spree.

37. Alphaville – An unusual sci-fi film from France, the film features no real special effects. The film’s hero seeks to destroy Alpha 60, the intelligent computer which runs the entire city of Alphaville.

38. Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine– A spoof of spy films, this movie features Vincent Price as a mad scientist who builds an army of female robots to seduce and rob wealthy men.

39. Dr. Who and the Daleks – Peter Cushing portrays the time traveling hero Dr. Who. In this film, he takes on the evil Daleks, radiation-scarred men who long ago encased themselves in protective machinery.

Sci-Fi Robot Movies

Sci-fi robot movies are the most common type to feature futuristic androids, cyborgs and artificial intelligence. Some of the those listed below rank as the most famous films ever made.

40. The Terminator – Arnold plays a cyborg who travels through time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton).

41. Terminator Salvation – Set in the future, John Connor (Christian Bale) must lead the human resistance against the machines.

42. THX 1138 – Directed by George Lucas, this film tells the story of life in a totalitarian state where emotions are violentally supressed.

43. Silent Running – In the future, all plant life on Earth has died, but a few are still preserved in a greenhouse orbiting the planet. When the order comes to destroy them, it’s up to one botanist (Bruce Dern) to save the day.

44. Westworld – Everything’s great in this theme park featuring lifelike robots, until they malfunction and start to kill the customers.

45. Star Trek: The Motion Picture – A destructive cloud is headed for Earth, and it’s up to Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise to save the day.

46. The Iron Giant– A heartwarming story of the friendship which develops between a giant robot from space and a lonely boy.

47. Blade Runner – The classic sci-fi film starring Harrison Ford. He plays Dekker, a man who specializes in tracking down and killing out-of-control robots (known as “Replicants”).

48. Red Planet – Val Kilmer plays an astronaut who must undertake a mission to Mars. As you can imagine, things become a complete mess and plenty of people die.

67. Android – A scientist (Klaus Kinski) and his android assistant try to create a female android while in orbit above the Earth.

68. Batteries Not Included – Tiny alien machines come to Earth and help the residents of an apartment block scheduled for property development.

69. Logan’s Run – In the future, everyone must be executed when they reach a certain age.

70. 2001: A Space Odyssey – First there’s a computer gone rogue, and then there’s a mind-bending trip through time and space. Classic Kubrick.

71. D.A.R.Y.L. – A government-created robot (in the form of an adorable little boy) is set free into the world and must try to avoid being recaptured.

72. Total Recall – Schwarzenegger thinks he’s a spy, but is it all just in his head? Great cast and lots of bloody shootouts.

73. Star Trek: First Contact – The Borg travel back in time to try and prevent Earth from making first contact with aliens.

74. Cyborg – Jean-Claude Van Damme must protect a cyborg who may have the key to saving our dying planet.

Bad Robot Movies

If you love trashy cinema, then you may want to check out these bad robot movies. They’re so bad that they’re almost good..well, except for Pluto Nash.

75. Runaway – When a robot malfunctions and becomes dangerous, give Tom Selleck a call. In this film, he’s forced to take on the villainous Gene Simmons, who strangely neglects to spit fire or blood from his mouth.

76. Robot Monster – The villainous Ro-Man has killed all but eight members of the human race. By the way, out villain has a skull for a head and the body of a giant gorilla. A favorite among fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

77. The Adventures of Pluto Nash – Eddie Murphy stars in one of the biggest box office failures in history. I still liked it better than Harlem Nights, however.

78. Star Trek Nemesis– The film which ensured the cast of The Next Generation would never again be allowed on the big screen.

109 Responses to “Top 85 Robot Movies”

Well, crap. For some reason, my fevered brain mistook Alan Rickman for Gary Oldman (I guess the fact that they’re both badass British actors was enough to throw me off). The error has been corrected. Thanks for the heads up, Tim.

May 28, 2009

seth

How about the first Transformers ( 80′ cartoon) movie were half the Transformers die. That was way better then the 1st Transformers. Plus Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is not even out yet, how can you say it is good.

May 30, 2009

Shane Rivers

I’ve seen pics of Megan Fox from Transformers 2. That’s all I need to tell me that it’s going to be good.

June 2, 2009

Johne Cook

This list cannot be considered complete without the cheesy but must-see Robot Jox (1990) and the sequel, Robot Wars (1993).

I started to list Robot Jox, I really did. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t realize, however, that there had been a sequel. Wow.

June 4, 2009

AndrewBoldman

Hi, cool post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for writing.

June 9, 2009

anthony

sorry dude… transformers is easily the best robot movie ever made … transformers 2 might beat it but until then transformers is the best. period.

June 9, 2009

anthony

lol transformers is the best robot movie ever. period.

November 3, 2009

Carlos

There was a movie of robots in the 80’s plaing on HBO it was about 3 robots and crew of a strandes ship in space. of the 3 robots it was the Doctor and the Android ** the Doctor is a robot too but the other does not know ** later on the movie the doctor creates another robot ( a women robot) – and the crew of the stranded ship are pirates …

dont know the name of the movie,.
if you know of the movie let me kknow the name please..

The Story: Android takes place on a large but deserted research-oriented space station located in deep space. Dr. Daniel (played wonderfully by Klaus Kinski), a genius by unstable scientist has almost completed his greatest creation – a perfect female android, named Cassandra. Apparently, Androids have been outlawed on Earth, due to some catastrophic event that occurred previously (hence, the reason for the deep space station), so Dr. Daniel must continue his work under cover with only minimal assistance. His current assistant, Max 404 (Don Keith Opper – also the writer) is also an android, but he is but a prototype – an imperfect experiment may no longer be necessary to continue. Unfortunately, Dr. Daniel needs a living female to “give Cassandra life” by transferring some of her essence to Cassandra.

November 5, 2009

Shane

Yeah, ‘ol Klaus Kinski was a real hoot.

November 22, 2009

Ming

hi, i want to ask if u know the movie where the robot is a police robot i think. but it turns evil. or something like that. the robot wears a helmet i think.. n a black jacket/outfit.. hehe thx in advance.

ps: great post 😀

November 24, 2009

Shane

Ming,

You’ve stumped me on that one.

November 30, 2009

Jin

you mean robot cop?? there’s 3 movies to the series but it kept getting worse each time lol. Tho the first one was crazy good.

November 30, 2009

Jin

nvm its “RoboCop”

November 30, 2009

Shadow

Boys. Robots. I just came for some info so…

November 30, 2009

Shadow

Hay Yo. Could you give me some info for a play I am doing. I am looking for good funny robot movie that someone could do the robot.

November 30, 2009

Shadow

I NEED HELP WITH MY PLAY FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you could find the time that would be great! Thanks.

November 30, 2009

Shadow

P.S. HELP. ANYBODY. Just reply back! Thanks. I AM DESPRET!!!

November 30, 2009

Shadow

If there are spelling mastakes SORRY!!

November 30, 2009

Shadow

Ming I think I can help on that one!It is ROBOCOP. At least I think so.

November 30, 2009

Ruby

Is this like pictochat?

December 1, 2009

Shadow

Hello! I NEED SOME RESPONCES!!!

December 1, 2009

New Moon

Yo. What up. SHADOW!!!!LONG TIME NO SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 15, 2009

Tom

Help! I watched a movie several years ago. It is about the world as we know it, is ruled by large robots guided by humans. A guy went into a building and found an old robot and got it working he proceded to knock down bunches of robots and save the world. Does anyone know what the name of this movie is? Thanks

January 2, 2010

dodie

What about Bicentennial Man? One of my favorite movies. Also, what about Cherry 2000? It was silly, but really cool.

January 2, 2010

dodie

also, although not technically a robot movie, Return to Oz had a freaky little contraption named Tick Tock. That was such a good movie.

January 3, 2010

Shane

Bicentennial Man is #60. Cherry 2000 is #83.

January 24, 2010

Dan

I’m not sure why, But I wish there was more.

Robot Jox
Crash and Burn
Robot Wars

Movie’s with Mech’s I love and Want one 🙂

February 10, 2010

Marianne

There was also a campy film called Galaxina, starring Dorothy Stratton (sp?).

March 6, 2010

Demok

How could you possibly rate terminator rise of the machines higher than judgement day. DO YOU SMOKE CRACK!!!

March 7, 2010

Demok

If you watched RoboJocks (RoboJox) when you were young I seriously recommend not watching it again. I remember a movie that kicked arse and took names but when I watched it with matured eyes, I was extremley dissappointed with the 1 odd that I wasted of my life. The film is cheesier than a dairy farm to a level that only a naive adolescent could take seriously. I’ve seen porn with more convincing acting.

March 7, 2010

Shane

Calm down. These films are listed in no particular order.

March 7, 2010

Shane

“Cheesier than a dairy farm.” That’s a good one.

March 9, 2010

steph

hi does anyone knoe a old movie and no not iron giant and its not animated and it bout a giant robot who gets along with a kid but at the end he ends up haveing to save earth by flying and blowing up in space?? plz help me thnx:))

March 19, 2010

Mirsch

First of all,
thank you for sharing this list of old, new, good and bad movies with robots. I found a few movies, which I was looking for some time.
But I’m still looking for one particular. There is this robot, which build it self from his ‘football head’ up to an deadly machine. In one scene you see this robot taking swatches with a little buzz saw and putting them into a bowl. It would be great if someone could help.
Thanks in advance.

March 21, 2010

Don

I am looking for an old film I watched as a kid. It was from Japan I think. It had a man that turned into a robot with a fin on his head. He could throw rings and make himself large or small. He was always fighting creatures like godzila.

March 22, 2010

Shane

I think the character you’re talking about is Ultraman.

March 26, 2010

kaylee

i watched a movie not long ago, but i forget the name. there’s this sort of city that is made up of really advanced robots that look pretty much like humans, and the guy who created them i think wanted to destroy them, there was also a guy i think it was the creators son or whatever, and the guy was ‘killing’ the robots with this really high-tech devise. there also was a robot, but you don’t think he is at first until he get’s shot, and he was leading a huge group of humans that hate the robots, and have a ‘no robot zone’. the robots do get i think shut down, and the people are saved. oh by the way, the people are sort of controlling the robots. so the robots aren’t really evil. i think. if you know the name of it, let me know.

March 26, 2010

kaylee

that’s the best description i could come up with. it’s hard to explain. it was good though.

March 26, 2010

kaylee

i forget the name of the characters. so can’t help you there. let me know.

March 26, 2010

kaylee

i think one of the main characters name was, something Peterson. i think. or Peters. something like that. she was a woman robot. one of those people who at first don’t belive she is one, but then the person controlling her, leaves the thing they use to control the robots. i think.

March 30, 2010

tom

i saw a movie in the 50’s about a robot in a lab on earth but controlled by ? from a flying saucer. the robot was only 4 feet tall and had one arm with a claw or pincher. robot rolled around and chased the humans and then grabbed their throats with the claw. scared the heck out of me then. of course i want to see it again!
anyone ever hear/see that one?

April 1, 2010

Ali

You seem to know alot of movies. Maybe you can help me find the name of the movie where a woman carries a man who has no legs wherever she goes. I watched it in the 90s and that’s all I remember. The only scene i can think of is she carries him on her back. Please help me if you know this movie.

April 24, 2010

ICE PIRATES!

Dude! You forgot ICE PIRATES! That movies a cult classic, and an awesome and funny sci fi. It’s like Princess Bride in space! If you guys have never heard of it- give it a watch!